Q: Rachel – I was wondering if goat and sheep products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, were considered dairy? Are they ok to eat or not?
A: Alisa – This is one of our most frequently asked questions on Go Dairy Free. In general, all mammal milks (sheep, goat, camel, etc.) and their related products (cheese, sour cream, etc.) are classified as dairy. In fact, if you look up goat milk and sheep milk online, you will probably come across the American Dairy Goat Association and the Wisconsin Sheep Dairy Cooperative.
So, why all of the confusion? The milks from different mammals have slightly different compositions, which is why some people may be allergic to cow’s milk but able to tolerate goat’s milk. Human milk is obviously the least allergenic milk for humans, as it is “designed” specifically for our bodies. The closer a milk is in composition to human milk, the lower the probability of allergenicity.
I elaborate on this in Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living. Here is an excerpt from the section in that book on goat milk:
“Goat milk is slightly closer in composition to human milk than cow milk is, with proteins that may be easier to digest. It is estimated that 20 to 40% of milk allergic individuals do not react to goat milk. However, milk allergic individuals should obtain an allergy test prior to trialing, as most people who are allergic to cow milk have similar reactions to goat milk. Plus, a rare few are in fact more allergic to [the casein or whey in]goat milk.
The lactose levels in goat milk versus cow milk are very similar (4.1% and 4.7% respectively), so lactose intolerant individuals might experience little to no relief from making the switch.”
Nonetheless, there are some additional benefits and pitfalls when looking at goat milk versus cow milk products. I discuss these in Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook as well as the upsides and downsides of sheep milk, camel milk, mare milk, and even donkey milk. You will likely be quite surprised by some of the information on each, as they are not identical by any means.
Whether or not these foods are “okay” for you to eat, is completely up to you and the reasons you are excluding dairy from your diet. Chapter 1 (entitled “What is Dairy?”) in Go Dairy Free should help you to make a confident decision on this issue. It is extensive and goes into quite a bit more detail on this topic.
Of course, if you are cutting out dairy in an effort to follow the vegan diet (a diet free of animal products), then goat and sheep milk products would still be a no-go.
Alisa Fleming is the founder of GoDairyFree.org and author of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living. In addition to her own dairy-free lifestyle, Alisa has experience in catering to the needs of various special diets, including gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, vegan, and multiple food allergies.
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28 Comments
Goat’s cheese is the only dairy I can get away with eating without having sinus & asthma issues (I don’t tolerate goat’s milk very well tho)
That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing this Drew.
I’ve always had a milk allergy, but a recent testing has added eggs, wheat, and tree nuts to the list of oranges, milk, and caffeine. This in response to an allergy and stress induced IBS diagnoses.
Both of my children also have the milk protein allergy, it’s been a trying several years. Thank you for the web site.
My two teenage grandsons both have severe cases of acne. They live on a farm and drink nothing but goats milk. Could this be the problem? They are off gluten for this reason.
Thanks!
Hi Dixie, I actually have never heard of a link between gluten and acne, unless they have celiac disease. Of course, anything is possible, but I haven’t seen or heard of this link barring a condition such as celiac disease. In terms of milk, I cannot advise medically, they will need to discuss this with a physician. In terms of anecdotal information, I have had dozens of people tell me how their acne resolved when they went dairy-free. Goat’s milk is still dairy. Here is a recent study on this topic – http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/868156
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Read the whole article and didn’t really answer the question,just tried selling a cook book,,Is it safe to use Sheep’s feta if you are allergic to Dairy ?? you don’t give a specific answer, you keep referring to chapter’s in a book,,will keep looking else where .
Hi Ellie, actually, it did answer the question. The question was, “Does Goat Milk and Cheese Qualify as Dairy?” and in the first paragraph I answer it: ” In general, all mammal milks (sheep, goat, camel, etc.) and their related products (cheese, sour cream, etc.) are classified as dairy.” In terms of if it is “safe” for you, the only place you will find that answer is with your physician or elimination / reintroduction testing if he/she recommends it. As mentioned here in this article, around 20-40% of people with a reaction to cow’s milk can tolerate goat milk. You need to see if you are one of those people, but I can’t tell you if you are! Please read the excerpt from the book above – it is included in this post in the quote box.
Wondering if you might be able to suggest a good tasting alternative to cheese. The one’s I’ve tried do not compare at all. Thanks, Angie
Hi Angie – please see our Cheese Subs review section for our honest opinions + comments / reviews from other dairy-free consumers: http://www.godairyfree.org/product-reviews/alternatives-cheese
Thank you for your wonderful website and outstanding information! I will be referring patients here in the future 🙂
That’s fantastic. Thank you Dr. Fowler.
Hi,
I have had cancer and now it seems like it is back, I have read that to cut sugar and dairy out of ones diet is essential to help reduce the risk of cancer. Would this include Goats products.
Regards
Alison Lock
Hi Alison, as mentioned in this post, goat’s milk products are dairy, too. Whether or not you should cut out all dairy or just cow’s milk dairy would be up to you and the diet you are considering. Good health to you!
Just wanted to say sorry Alison that you are having to battle cancer again. I don”t know if you are fond of soy milk, but my son who works in a chemistry lab says the estrogen in soy seems to trick the cancer cells into thinking it is the body-produced estrogen. I don”t understand the chem side of it, but soy is a is a good thing for women apparently.
I came across your site after someone recently told me that goats cheese contained dairy, and I was searching for some answers. My 2yr old is highly allergic to dairy. She gets instant internal bleeding with any contact with dairy typically, but she LOVES goats cheese. She’s still nursing so I’m also dairy free. Seems she has tolerated the goats cheese, do idk. My question is would goats cheese be classified as the same type of dairy as cows milk, or cheese? Is “dairy ” just getting grouped together here, because if so then yes in fact I myself would be considered a living dairy farm, as I’m lactating and nursing my daughter {and I donated milk before too} I think “dairy ” needs to be me specific. Thanks.
Hi Amy, I’m not sure of your exact question, but I can assure you that the full answer and beyond is in Go Dairy Free– I address what dairy is, all the different types of dairy milks (goat, sheep, etc), and much more. And yes, as noted, goat milk is a type of “dairy” as it is a mammal milk. I don’t make the definitions, I just share them 🙂
Is goat’s/sheep’s milk considered dairy?
Hi Sharon, yes, did you read the post? It’s answered above.
Hahaha… Gold!
You mentioned human milk being most tolerable and made for humans, as a lactating mom I am interested in this topic, would you believe or suggest that replacing the dairy we consume and instead serving human milk to other members of my family besides my baby, including myself is really nutritionally beneficial and a good idea? My husband and I are interested in the discussion of this topic..,
I’m really not sure and would have to see some research on this topic, but from what I have read, I would think not. All animals naturally wean from milk, even from their own species and don’t continue to nurse past a certain growth stage. This natural occurrence alone says something to me. Also, I believe all breast milk, whether from cows or humans, contains growth hormone that is intended for … growth. This hormone has been potentially linked to the higher incidence of hormonal cancers in adults who consume dairy. Again, I’m not advising, but my opinion would be that milk is intended for the growth phase of life – and with that, I wouldn’t be sure at what stage in life (if after weaning) it would still be a good idea.
This article says most mammal milk, and later mentions human milk but never answers this question directly so out of pure curiousity, is human milk classified as dairy too?
At this time, we don’t run human dairy farms, so it’s a bit of a moot point 🙂 Human milk is a complete different topic with another array of considerations. But for infants who are not lactose intolerant and who are not reacting to their mother’s milk due to her diet, doctors typically recommend mother’s milk as the best nutrition.
Use olive oil instead
Hello
I wonder if someone could kindly get back to me re the following please!
I recently purchased some goats butter (only yesteday) as an alternative to Margarine.
I do not like standard cows butter but wondered if goats butter is lower in fat than most other spreads. I am not sure what is good and what isn’t as advertising is all so misleading.
I am also trying to change my diet somewhat as I am experiencing a lot of Perimenopausal symptoms. I have been advised to cut out certain foods.
I was advised that Margarine is not really good for us as it is so processed but surely it can’t be that bad for us!
Do you have a leaflet on Goats products you could possibly send me? I love goats cheese but not sure how much is good for me!
I would be so grateful to you.
Best wishes
V Scola.
I can’t advise on the health of goat milk products as that isn’t my realm! I would look for a producer of goat milk products if you are seeking more info.
Hello V! I have had the Meyenberg goat Milk from Shop-Rite and it is good also very high in Vitamin D which is always good for those of us who suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Also Costco brand known as Kirkland has a great goat cheese! I would say go with what feels good for you always listen to your instincts. I am trying myself to cut dairy out of my diet as i was addicted to cheese for many years and I find that the phlegm i get from goat milk isn’t as bad as with cows milk but still there so i suppose ill be cutting out goat milk too! Thank goodness for Almond & Coconut milk! Good luck on your journey.